Rural/Farming / Public News Service

Around 97% of the Utah hog inventory is on farms with 5,000 or more hogs, according to the National Pork Producers Council. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Utah feels impact of California's ban on gestation crates

Farm advocates claim price gouging on meat and poultry in California is spreading across the country, including Utah's pork industry, which garnered …

Beyond legal-related maneuvers, the USDA has taken other steps to create more market fairness in the heavily consolidated livestock and meat production industry, including funding for more local processing options. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 1, 2024

The little guy could get a bigger voice in proposed USDA fairness rule

From North Dakota to Texas, the beef raised on farms goes through a production process controlled by four major companies and independent ranchers …

Montana currently has no law against the use of gestation crates to raise livestock. (Adobe Stock)

Montana feels effects of California 'price gouging'

California joined a dozen other states across the U.S. either banning or regulating the use of gestation crates to raise livestock and a ballot …

Since they began resettling in the Midwest after the Vietnam War, Hmong farmers have been credited for revitalizing farmers markets in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota. (Adobe Stock)

Preparing the next generation of Hmong farmers

Visit a Wisconsin farmers market, and chances are there are products grown by Hmong producers. But like other agricultural groups, the population is …

Proposed water permit changes in Minnesota to limit harmful runoff from industrial farms would only cover about 1,000 of the state's 17,000 livestock feedlots. However, environmental groups said the affected farms generate about one-third of the manure spread on agricultural fields. (Adobe Stock)

MN regulators unveil tougher water permit requirements for CAFO's

Minnesota will soon hold public hearings on proposed water permit changes as it seeks to get control of nitrate pollution from industrial farms…

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits brought more than $700 million to local Colorado economies in 2017, creating more than $1.25 billion in economic activity. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Bill proposal would cut SNAP food assistance by $30 billion

One proposed version of the next Farm Bill, introduced by the Republican chair of the House Agriculture Committee, would cut the Supplemental …

Corporations have raised retail pork prices by 20%, but the farmers supplying California with crate-free pork are only receiving about 5% more for their hogs, according to data from the USDA. (Adobe Stock)

California 'price gouging' ripples to Iowa

Farm advocates claim price gouging on meat and poultry in California is spreading across the country, including in Iowa, which is the nation's …

In 2023, the Farm Service Agency enrolled 2.7 million acres to its Grassland Conservation Reserve Program out of more than 4.6 million acres offered by landowners. (MarekPhotoDesign.com/Adobe Stock)

Friday deadline for 2024 USDA grassland conservation program

Farm producers and landowners have until the end of this week to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency's Grasslands …

On most farms, pregnant sows are confined to a small

Report: Restaurants allow abuse, disease risk at MD animal farms

Many food producers have made progress since 2008 toward ending the use of gestation crates for pregnant pigs, according to a new report from animal-…

About 40% of food produced by farmers worldwide is never consumed. (TheStockCube/Adobestock)

Making 'climate candy' from upcycled fruits and veggies

Worldwide, 40% of food is wasted but a new candy company is trying to make a dent in it and fight climate change to boot. The company is called …

In 2023, Arkansas' Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant Program increased the capacity to process and serve more specialty crops to students through the school cafeteria. (Cheangchai/Adobe Stock)

Arkansas students learn importance of healthy foods through school gardens

School children in Arkansas are learning how to grow their own fruits and vegetables through the Farm to School and Early Childhood Education program …

The current version of the Farm Bill is an extension of the 2018 bill, which expired in 2023 and was extended for one year. (Kenishirotie/Adobe Stock)

MO advocates demand fairness in beef labeling, support for small farms

Family farm advocates are pushing for major changes in the new Farm Bill, including reduced subsidies for large factory farms, mandatory beef country-…

Illinois is bordered by 880 miles of water - the Mississippi River, Ohio River, and Wabash River. according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. (Adode Stock)

Tug-of-war for more access to IL streams continues

Federal law and Illinois law are at odds over ownership, access, and use of the state's streams, lakes & rivers - and the Legislature failed to pass …

Iowa family farm advocates are calling on Congress to reduce the subsidies given to large-scale factory operations in the Farm Bill, and invest more in conservation programs that help small ag producers. (Adobe Stock)

Family farmers call for tougher CAFO regulations in Farm Bill

Family farm advocates are calling for cuts in federal subsidies to large animal feeding operations - technically known as Concentrated Animal Feeding …

Advocates are concerned that large corporate

MN farmers push for more protection from corporate agriculture in Farm Bill

With a September deadline looming for Congress to finish work on renewing the Farm Bill, Minnesota family farmers are pushing for more regulations to …

Around 27% of South Dakotans who applied for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, funded by Inflation Reduction Act dollars in 2023, were accepted. (Marc Braner/Adobe Stock)

House Farm Bill could chop climate-smart programs

The U.S. House of Representatives will likely vote this summer on a version of the Farm Bill, which passed through the committee process last month…

Between 2017 and 2022, Minnesota saw a more than 30% increase in farm acres planted with cover crops. (Adobe Stock)

Cover crops: A mighty force for land health, with room for growth

When Minnesota farmers watch their crops grow this summer, some will monitor land that has better soil health. It's because of a fairly popular …

South Dakota loses up to 100,000 acres of grasslands annually, according to the South Dakota Grassland Coalition. Grassland bird species are declining faster than any other group on the continent. (Gregory Johnston/Adobe Stock)

Support grows for threatened SD grasslands

About 1.6 million acres of Great Plains grasslands were destroyed in 2021 alone, according to a recent report, an area the size of Delaware. One …

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are targeted to people with the greatest need: 92% go to households with incomes below the poverty line, and 54% to households at or below half of the poverty line, about $12,900 for a family of three in 2024, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Hunger Coalition pushes back on SNAP cuts in Farm Bill

One version of the Farm Bill being debated in Congress would cut billions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from agricu…

A new Colorado law provides local and tribal governments with science-based resources for siting and permitting new renewable-energy projects, including maps identifying sensitive wildlife habitat. (Adobe Stock)

New resources available to site CO clean-energy projects, protect wildlife

To reach 100% clean energy by 2040 - a move seen as critical for averting the worst impacts of climate change - Colorado must generate five times more…

Utah hog farms and pork processors directly employed 1,899 workers and paid more than $100.7 million in total wages, according to the National Pork Producers Council. (Adobe Stock)

Animal rights group wants to end use of livestock gestation crates

An international animal right's group is calling on the U.S. restaurant chain industry to reduce or eliminate the use of gestation crates for …

The U.S. per capita consumption of pork amounted to 51.1 pounds in 2022, according to Statista. (zyabich/AdobeStock)

Report: U.S. restaurant chains continue controversial ag practices

For 15 years, U.S. restaurant chains have pledged to stop using gestation crates for pregnant pigs but a new report from an animal welfare group …

Montana is not among the list of states outlawing or restricting restaurants' use of meat products from producers using gestation crates to raise their livestock for the food chain. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Popular MT restaurants 'lag' in banning gestation crates

A prominent animal-safety group is calling on restaurants to do more to ban the use of animal gestation crates where livestock and poultry are grown f…

Iowa is among 11 states to outlaw or restrict restaurants' use of meat products from producers using gestation crates to raise their livestock for the food chain. (Adobe Stock)

Animal welfare report calls for livestock gestation crate bans

A prominent animal safety group is calling on restaurants to do more to ban the use of animal gestation crates where livestock and poultry are grown f…

Firsthand Foods collaborates with more than 20 farmers across 10 counties. (Adobe Stock)

Building a sustainable food system: Firsthand Foods' approach

Building a sustainable and fair food system benefiting people and the planet is becoming increasingly important and North Carolina businesses are answ…

The Food Bank of Wyoming distributed nearly 10 million pounds of food to patrons last year. (Adobe Stock)

Grant helps WY pantries source food locally

As summer begins, people who rely on Food Bank of Wyoming will start seeing more local options, thanks to a new grant. The U.S. Department of …

Animal welfare groups say food companies that rely on inhumane practices in their supply chain expose themselves to financial risks, with investors and shareholders showing increasing concern about these issues. (Adobe Stock)

Restaurant chains called into question for meat-production sources

Today is National Animal Rights Day, and some of the more popular restaurant chains in North Dakota are under fire for how the meats they use are …

If dairies in Willcox continue to grow, annual water use is projected to increase from an estimated 2,953 acre-feet to 5,085 acre-feet by 2038, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. (Adobe Stock)

AZ town grapples with drying wells, unregulated water use, large ag ops

Wells in the Willcox Basin in southeastern Arizona are drying up, and many are pointing the finger at massive agriculture and cattle operations…

Scientists at Iowa State University are creating biochar to mix with Iowa's rich soil to sequester carbon, create prime growing conditions for crops and soak up climate-warming fossil fuel emissions. (Adobe Stock)

Scientists in IA target 'low-hanging fruit' to sequester carbon

By Lindsey Byman for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, U.S. agricultural workers face an average of 21 unsafe working days per summer growing season because of heat. (KUBE/Adobe Stock)

NE farmworkers, others face heightened risks of heat, humidity

Sunday is Global Heat Action Day, to raise awareness about the risks posed by heat and ways to stay safe. In Nebraska and across the Midwest…

Some 42 million people count on SNAP benefits each month and nearly four in five are children, seniors, people with disabilities or veterans. (WavebreakmediaMicro/AdobeStock)

Anti-hunger advocates warn NM SNAP benefits at risk in Farm Bill

Anti-hunger groups are alarmed over a draft of the next Farm Bill which significantly cuts benefits for those enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition A…

The deadline for Congress to pass a new Farm Bill is Sept. 30, 2024, following a year-long extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

SD lawmaker OK’s House Farm Bill draft, despite climate, food program cuts

After 13 hours of markups late last week, the House Committee on Agriculture passed its version of the massive piece of legislation known as the Farm …

The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy says a law change, which includes updating the state's public waters list, could provide protections for at least 640 miles of additional waterways across the state. (Adobe Stock)

To shield public waterways from runoff, MN takes an inventory dive

What might seem like an under-the-radar administrative task could end up being a lifesaver for Minnesota waterways in need of safeguards against agric…

During Latino Advocacy Week, Hispanic Access Foundation members met with lawmakers to promote equity in the upcoming Farm Bill. (Evelyn Ramirez/Hispanic Access Foundation)

A focus on the Farm Bill for Latino Advocacy Week in D.C.

It's Latino Advocacy Week in Washington, D.C., and leaders in the Hispanic community are pushing for improvements in the upcoming Farm Bill. The …

The federal government collects more than $1 billion every year through an excise tax on such items as licenses, guns, arrows and fishing tackle to fund wildlife conservation programs. (Adobe Stock)

As Congress debates new Farm Bill, hunters and anglers speak up

This week, Congress is picking up work on a new Farm Bill and hunters and anglers said billions of dollars in investments in private-lands …

Farm Bill debate is back on; hunters, anglers hope for more support

This week, Congress is picking up work on a new Farm Bill and hunters and anglers say billions of dollars in investments in private-lands …

The latest report from the Federal Trade Commission found some grocery price increases were unwarranted during the pandemic. (polack/Adobe Stock)

Report: Grocery prices unnecessarily inflated during pandemic

Americans got a bit of a reprieve last month, as food and auto prices dipped for the first time in 90 days. As Texas households continue to deal …

Iowa's hunters and anglers are advocating to increase wildlife habitat and ecosystem funding in the next Farm Bill, which the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is set to discuss for the first time this week. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa hunters, anglers push for Farm Bill support

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee is scheduled to take up the first version of the new Farm Bill tomorrow morning. Outdoor enthusiasts in Iowa …

The federal government collects more than $1 billion every year through an excise tax on items such as licenses, guns, arrows and fishing tackle to fund wildlife conservation programs. (Adobe Stock)

Conservationists: Farm Bill crucial to future access to IL wildlife habitat

As Congress prepares to start work on a new Farm Bill this week, hunters and anglers say billions of dollars in investments in private-lands …

As of mid-May, the USDA has identified bird flu among dairy cows on 41 farms in nine states. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

As bird flu spreads within dairy operations, experts want more testing

Across the U.S, there's been intense monitoring of avian flu jumping from birds to dairy cattle. So far, no cases have surfaced in Wisconsin's milk …

Solar energy helps provide more than 263,000 jobs across the U.S., according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. (spyarm/Adobe Stock)

Surge in solar installations eases energy costs for Missourians

Missouri homes and businesses have installed enough solar energy to power 68,000 homes each year. A new report released by the Solar Energy …

Fungal decay and fire both break down hydrogen and carbon bonds, a process that releases energy. But while fire releases heat, mushrooms absorb that energy like people do when digesting food. (Adobe Stock)

Mushrooms can help prevent mega-wildfires

By Stephen Robert Miller for the Food and Environment Reporting Network.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for t…

The USDA has identified bird flu among dairy cows on 41 farms in nine states. (Parilov/Adobestock)

Experts: More bird flu testing needed to prevent spread, protect humans

The number of avian flu cases in dairy cows is holding steady in New Mexico but experts say more testing is needed to prevent its spread and protect h…

Corporate grocery chains raised prices well above what was necessary during the pandemic, and continue to do so today, according to a report by the Federal Trade Commission. (Adobe Stock)

FTC says corporate grocers gouge Montana shoppers

The latest report from the Federal Trade Commission says despite an easing of pandemic related supply chains and economic stressors, major grocers …

Michigan law states an animal feeding operation is where the animals will be

Livestock waste making 'Pure Michigan' waters not so pure

Michigan boasts 11,000 inland lakes, more freshwater shoreline than any other state and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams but a new …

California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington are the only states with heat standards in place. Five other states either have active legislation or are in the process of rulemaking. (Adobe Stock)

VA farmworkers get updated heat protection guidelines

Some Virginia farmworkers will have updated heat protection guidelines. The Farm Labor Organizing Committee is enacting heat and safety protections …

Some farmers are taking a more high-tech approach to staying in 'performance shape.' (Adobe Stock)

IA farmers get 'pro performance' physical, mental training

A Des Moines-based farm co-op is taking high-tech sports-training into the country and has hired an athletic physician to do it. The field of high-…

A well-designed riparian buffer can prevent 80% of excess nutrients from entering rivers and streams. (Adobe Stock)

Most SD surface waters fall below state quality standards

There are nearly 150,000 miles of rivers and streams in South Dakota, but new data show many of those don't meet state standards for safe water …

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Rural/Farming